Why Red Flags Look Like Green Lights
“DON’T OPEN THIS BOX!” All good horror movies have started with a similar premise. The entire story depends on the protagonist’s inclination to do the exact opposite of what has been written. The sheer ignorance of the character may make you frustrated to the core, but remember that you would do the same! Consider this: Since childhood, every single thing you’ve been asked not to do has intrigued you. Why? What makes you want to touch a steaming hot iron or steal a sip of whiskey when no one’s looking? This is when the forbidden fruit effect makes its way to our minds.
The Forbidden Fruit Effect, simply put, is the urge to do something only because it is forbidden. They say strict parents make the most deviant children. I think the Indian context provides us with some wonderful examples. Not to say this doesn’t apply to other cultures, but you see, my experiences are more relatable to the Indian household.
India, the land of “log kya kahenge.” (What would people say?) As easy it is to comprehend, it is a whole new thing to truly understand the fact that we are the society we fear. Indian culture has been one of an intricate set of societal rules. These range from the universal “Women shouldn’t be wearing certain kinds of clothing” to the more specific view that cows must be treated like holy creatures. The biggest virtue is to accept with open arms all kinds of intrusive questions and advice, especially when it comes from strange elders who like to criticise with sneaky smiles and a casual side-eye. This quality of a wide range of restrictions provide Indians with a variety of rules to choose to deviate from. Choices are aplenty, a person just needs to find her/his pick.
How many times have we seen Raj from Big Bang Theory gobble on beef like his life depended on it? Or the amount of times the rebel in us comes out to give that nosy neighbour a full-blown verbal slap? The amount of girls who specifically date “bad boys”? While it is inevitable that so many rules will lead to deviance, it is also fair to say that prohibition catalyses the entire process.
Now, societal rules have been a great way to explain the forbidden fruit effect. What about other rules that have a greater logical background? Underage drinking has been a widespread phenomenon since a while now. The idea of being served with alcohol at a restaurant without ID makes the heart flutter with excitement. In India, alcoholism has been recorded in about 35% of people below 20 years of age in the year 2020. Another area where prohibition has proven to be useless is that of adult content. While there was a countrywide ban on pornographic websites, it is recorded that India is the 3rd largest viewer of such content. While we’re on the topic, the popularity of forbidden or hush-hush topics on these websites is remarkable. Incestuous activities have always interested the masses, concepts such as pedophelia are also ever-present, and sexual violence too has its separate following.
It is, hence, well-accepted and well-established that restrictions increase likelihood. The question now stands: What makes us want to indulge in activities that are banned or prohibited? Several reasons can account for this kind of behaviour. One of the most important ones would have to be power. The thought that one is free to do what one wants to do, irrespective of what others say, provides a sense of comfort and control. In psychological terms, this is known as reactance. Restrictions always attack a person’s sense of freedom, thus making them feel threatened. This causes the person to act in directions and ways that are unacceptable. While there are various topics we can get into under the umbrella of this phenomenon, we end the article on this note.
Yes, different people have different palates. But, universally speaking, the forbidden fruit tastes best!
